Nairobi women representative Esther Passaris has urged Kenyans to respect Azimio's leader Raila Odinga's decision to skip the presidential debate.
Speaking on Monday at KTN, Passaris said that it is Raila's democratic and individual right to decide if he wants to attend the debate or not.
"Baba cannot share a stage with someone who calls him 'Kitendawili', he has chosen honour. We’ve moved on from politics of insults, respect Baba’s decision not to participate in the presidential debate," she said.
She added that Raila deserves respect and he cannot attend a debate that that will be based on character assassination.
"The Rigathi-Martha debate was all about Uhuru Kenyatta. Baba is not at the same level as William Ruto, he is in a class of his own," she said.
This comes after Raila hinted that he might not attend the presidential debate scheduled for July 26.
In a statement by his spokesman Makau Mutua, the coalition noted that having the candidates, DP William Ruto and Raila, on the same stage this year would be a bad idea.
Mutua claimed Ruto had issued his reservations telling the moderators not to focus on corruption and integrity - issues which Azimio wanted to take centre stage.
“Our opponent has no regard for ethics, public morals or shame, that is why he has demanded that the debate not focus on corruption, integrity, ethics and governance - the key existential question that Kenya faces. These issues sit at the core of the Azimio campaign. Any debate devoid of these questions will be an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans,” he said.
“That is why we do not intend to share a national podium with a person who lacks decency. As is well known, our opponent traversed the country hurling epithets at us and other key national leaders, including vile, sexist attacks.”
Prof Mutua said instead of the debate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua plan to hold a televised address to explain the Azimio agenda to Kenyans.
